After a pilot episode last year, Derek started in January. Gervais is the show's writer as well as its title character, and stars alongside Karl Pilkington and Kerry Godliman.

The show has been criticised for mocking people with learning disabilities, which Gervais has denied. Despite this controversy, Derek series one has gathered a steady audience with a consolidated average of 2.1 million viewers, a 9.9 per cent share.

In a release about the announcement, Gervais said: "Derek is probably my favourite thing of everything I've done, so I can't wait to start thinking up some new adventures for the gang."

A Telegraph critic said Derek presents "a way of looking at the world that was both joyful and touching." The final episode of the current series will air on Wednesday at 10pm.